Smith earns playing rights on PGA Tour

July 1: Highly-rated Cameron Smith of Australia earned playing rights on the PGA Tour for the remainder of the season thanks to an impressive tied fourth finish at the US Open in Chambers Bay two weeks ago.It was the 21-year-old's first appearance in a Major and his results propelled him above the season points total for the 150th best player from last season. Smith will now be able to accept an unlimited number of sponsor exemptions for the remaining tournaments this season. If he wins enough money, he will then earn playing rights for next season.While he remains ineligible for the US PGA season-ending playoffs that begin in August, he can claim a tour spot and playoff eligibility by winning a tour event.Smith, who hails from Brisbane, won the Australian Amateur crown in 2013 before turning professional in the same year. He plied his trade on the Asian Tour in 2014 and was crowned Rookie of the Year following a commendable fifth place finish on the Order of Merit.It was a sensational season for Smith where he notched seven top-10s in nine starts on the region’s premier Tour and missed only one cut. His highlight of the year came at the CIMB Classic, which was sanctioned by the Asian Tour and PGA Tour, in Malaysia where he finished tied fifth.Smith, ranked 89th on the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR), joins South African Branden Grace and Ireland's Shane Lowry in accepting the special temporary PGA Tour membership for the remainder of the season.

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